SENECA — With the Seneca boys slated to open play at sectionals tonight in Springfield, it may not come as a surprise to see the Indians making such a heavy mark on the Big 8 All-Conference basketball team this season.

The Indians placed five members of its squad among a list of 10 total local athletes and coaches to make the list on the boys and girls side.

Kyler Ng was a unanimous first team selection for the Indians, while also being named Big 8 Player of the Year. Indians coach Will King, meanwhile, was named Coach of the Year. Also garnering selections for the Indians were Logan St. Clair (second team), Bradley Jumper (honorable mention) and Daniel Noah (special mention/injury).

East Newton’s Bryce Zimmerman was the lone Patriot on the squad, garnering second team honors. Other members of the Big 8 first team were: Shane Williams (Mount Vernon), Chandler Myers (Mount Vernon), Matt Magee (Carl Junction) and Travis Vogt (Carl Junction).

The girls team was highlighted by three East Newton Lady Patriots, as Kourtney Brewster and Shelbey Thomlinson each grabbed first team honors and Haley Heilig earned honorable mention. Seneca’s Molli Cooper, meanwhile, was also honorable mention.

Honorable mention accolades also went to Maria Chism (Carl Junction), Ryan O’Sullivan (Lamar) and Taylor Jackson (Lamar). The Player of the Year award went to McPherson, while Coach of the Year honors went to Mount Vernon’s Jamie LaSalle.